Today marks the start of Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra’s 2012 summer promo tour for the forthcoming album, “Theatre Is Evil.” The band will weave their way through six cities – Berlin, London, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Boston – performing multiple sold-out events in each. In addition to “customary” rock shows, each locale will host intimate art show openings and acoustic performances, open exclusively to VIP Kickstarter backers.

Amanda Palmer in Berlin 2012 by Nuflicks

There were no formerly heroic times, and there was no formerly pure
generation. There is no one here but us chickens, and so it has always
been: a people busy and powerful, knowledgable, ambivalent, important,
fearful, and self-aware; a people who scheme, promote, deceive, and
conquer; who pray for their loved ones, and long to flee misery and
skip death. It is a weakeing and discoloring idea, that rustic people
knew God personally once upon a time - or even knew selflessness or
courage or literature - but that it is too late for us. In fact, the
absolute is available to everyone in every age. There never was a more
holy age than ours, and never a less. - Annie Dillard

Photo by Nicholas Vargelis

Amanda Palmer is a performer, director, composer and
musician who is best known for her role as front woman and keyboardist
for internationally acclaimed punk cabaret band The Dresden Dolls. In
2008, Amanda released Who Killed Amanda Palmer, her debut solo album
which was produced by Ben Folds. Current projects include a fine art
photography book on which she is collaborating with esteemed author
Neil Gaiman and a WKAP companion songbook, as well as a WKAP DVD (out
6/16/09). Amanda recently wrapped up a year-long tour that took her
through sold out performances in Europe, the US, Australia, & New
Zealand and most recently her epic set at Coachella. Live highlights of
the last year include two epic performances with the Boston Pops at
Symphony Hall, residency at the Famous Spiegeltent at Edinburgh, and a
critically acclaimed performance at the 2009 Coachella Valley Arts and
Music Festival.

Ten Quick Questions

1. Which book are you currently reading?
The End Of Nature by Bill McKibben

2. Do you smoke?
Only when drinking.

3. When was the last time you got angry?
A few days ago, at myself, for planning poorly.

4. When was the last time you laughed until you cried?
Probably at last week's video shoot seeing Neil Gaiman in the Bowie mullet wig.

5. Was there a movie where you could not bear to see the end?
In
that I didn't WANT it to end, or I couldn't BEAR the actual ending? If
the first.... "Wings of Desire". I want it to go on and on. If the
later.... "Requiem for a Dream". Good GOD.

6. What character would you have liked to have played?
Hm. The balleria girl, Coquette i think her name is, in "King of Hearts".

7. "Law & Order", "Special Victim Unit" or "Criminal Intent"?
I've only ever seen "Law and Order", and only once. So I suppose my vote is void.

8. Who do you currently have a crush on?
I have a permanent crush on Jack Nicholson. Even old and fat and grey. I love him.

9. What's the best moment of your day?
All of it, baby. I'm not picky.

10. What song of yours do you think is your best?
Mrs. O, or possibly the new one I've just written, called "The Bed Song."

A
one-woman machine who is a rock musician, artist, writer, yoga
enthusiast, political activist and more – simplicity is not an easy
thing to come by.
Born and raised in the Boston, "simple" has never
been a way to describe Amanda Palmer's undeniable talent and passion
for creating art. With years of theater and performance art studies
under her belt, Palmer has always sought to merge the worlds of rock
music, theater and performance art.